Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser Versus Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Updated on November 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain oils and sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Chitosan
Silver Citrate
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Steareth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Tea-Sulfate
Buffering
Soy Protein Phthalate
EmollientGlutaral
Preservative
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Formaldehyde
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Petrolatum
Emollient
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Silver Citrate, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Zinc Gluconate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Beta-Sitosterol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 80, Menthol, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4, PEG-150 Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Tea-Sulfate, Soy Protein Phthalate, Glutaral, Paraffinum Liquidum, Formaldehyde, Benzophenone-3, Petrolatum
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
[THIS IS A REVIEW FROM 2019]
(Pasting my review from the Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution bc I used them together and had great results)
I’m new to SkinSort but I really wanted to write a review for this bc the Paula’s Choice acne line actually changed my life… when I was in uni I had a super oily T-zone and crazy acne on my forehead so I bought the PC extra strength travel kit to try out Show more
The Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser was a bit too drying for my skin. After learning about fungal acne and realizing the cleanser isn’t fungal acne safe, I decided to stop using it.
